Alabama

How to deal with one of Saban's fits

I think I've been pretty clear that Alabama senior linebacker Darren Mustin is one of my favorite players to interview. He's open, he's honest, he calls it like he sees it, and he can talk about doing the right things because people say he really does do the right things. He's kind of emerged as a senior leader, as well as a go-to guy for media.

Saban!

OK, so today he tackled a topic near and dear to all of our hearts: How to handle it as a player when coach Nick Saban lights into you. What are Saban's triple A-plus fits like?

Mustin is glad you asked:

"Coach Saban blows up all the time," Mustin said. "They're all the same to me. You just learn to treat them like water under the bridge. He's not trying to tear you down, he's not trying to break you, he's trying to install a sense of urgency in you."

He's received some advice from other assistant coaches on how to deal with one of those fits. One told Mustin "hear what you have to hear out of that conversation, and you just let the rest go in one ear and out the other."

And what does Saban think of that?

"Sometimes, he gets mad at that," Mustin said, "but that's what you have to do in this situation, because if you let how he gets on you bring you down, then you're not going to play very well."

So what's the point of all that yelling? The Brentwood, Tenn., native has an idea...

"I think he's preparing you for a stadium," Mustin said."People booing and cussing at you and calling you names... But if you can learn to tune Nick Saban out? That's nothing."